I
cannot listen to such speech. I repeat I cannot, and _will_ not!"

The firm tone was grateful to my ears.

"Nay, lovely Aurore!" replied Gayarre, entreatingly, "don't be angry
with me! I cannot help it. I cannot help thinking of your welfare.
You _shall_ be free;--no longer the slave of a capricious mistress--"

"Monsieur Gayarre!" exclaimed the quadroon, interrupting him, "speak not
so of Mademoiselle! You wrong her, Monsieur. She is not capricious.
What if she heard--"

"_Peste_!" cried Gayarre, interrupting in his turn, and again assuming
his tone of bravado. "What care I if she did? Think you I trouble my
head about her? The world thinks so! ha! ha! ha! Let them!--the fools!
ha! ha! One day they may find it different! ha! ha! They think my
visits here are on _her_ account! ha! ha! ha! No, Aurore,--lovely
Aurore! it is not Mademoiselle I come to see, but _you_,--you, Aurore,--
whom I _love_,--ay, love with all--"

"Monsieur Dominique! I repeat--"

"Dearest Aurore! say you will but love me; say but the word! Oh, speak
it! you shall be no longer a slave,--you shall be free as your mistress
is;--you shall have everything,--every pleasure,--dresses, jewels, at
will; my house shall be under your control,--you shall command in it,
_as if you were my wife_."

"Enough, Monsieur! enough! Your insult--I hear no more!"

The voice was firm and indignant. Hurrah!

"Nay, dearest, loveliest Aurore! do not go yet,--hear me--"

"I hear no more, Sir,--Mademoiselle shall know--"

"A word, a word! one kiss, Aurore! on my knees, I beg--"

I heard the knocking of a pair of knees on the floor, followed by a
struggling sound, and loud angry exclamations on the part of Aurore.

This I considered to be my cue, and three steps brought me within the
room, and within as many feet of the kneeling gallant. The wretch was
actually on his "marrow-bones," holding the girl by the wrist, and
endeavouring to draw her towards him. She, on the contrary, was
exerting all her women's strength to get away; which, not being so
inconsiderable, resulted in the ludicrous spectacle of the kneeling
suitor being dragged somewhat rapidly across the carpet!

His back was toward me as I entered, and the first intimation he had of
my presence was a boisterous laugh, which for the life of me I could not
restrain. It lasted until long after he had released his captive, and
gathered his limbs into an upright position; and, indeed, so l